Residents of Mubi town in Adamawa State have expressed outrage after a businessman, Suleiman Abu, was allegedly shot by a soldier during a patrol in Mubi North Local Government Area.
The incident reportedly occurred around 8:40pm on Sunday.
Residents said the victim was riding an electric motorcycle when he noticed soldiers on patrol.
Fearing arrest because of the existing restriction on motorcycle movement between 9pm and 6am, he reportedly made a U-turn and headed home before the curfew took effect.
Witnesses alleged that after Abu parked his motorcycle and attempted to lock the gate to his residence, a soldier who had followed him opened fire at close range.
The bullet reportedly grazed his shoulder before hitting his lower jaw, leaving him with severe injuries.
An eyewitness told Daily Trust that neighbours rushed out after hearing the gunshot and apprehended the soldier.
He was, however, later released following the intervention of his superiors and community elders.
The victim was initially taken to the Federal Medical Centre Mubi, before being referred to the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital in Yola, where he is receiving treatment.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with residents insisting that security personnel are expected to protect civilians and adhere to the military’s rules of engagement.
A resident, Abubakar Sadeeq Lamorde, said that even if the businessman had violated the motorcycle restriction, he should have been arrested and processed in line with the law rather than being shot.
Another resident, Danladi Dechamba, described the incident as tragic, saying Mubi residents had endured years of insurgency and continued to cooperate with security agencies in the interest of peace.
He said the victim was neither an insurgent nor a criminal, adding that security personnel must exercise restraint while carrying out their duties.
‘A soldier who pursues an unarmed civilian into his home and shoots him undermines the trust between the military and the community. Those responsible must be held accountable,’ he said.
Efforts to speak with the Commander of Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai, Brigadier Gen. Amechi Agwu, was unsuccessful as he was said to be attending an official meeting.
The spokesman of the 23 Armoured Brigade Yola, Capt. Abidoyi, told Daily Trust on telephone that he was not in a position to comment on the incident, saying only the military headquarters in Abuja could respond.
Mubi is among the towns worst affected by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Meanwhile, residents of Mubi staged a peaceful protest over the alleged shooting, describing the incident as unprofessional and inhumane.
The protesters marched through major streets carrying placards and demanding justice for the victim. They later proceeded to the Emir’s Palace in Mubi to register their grievances.
Receiving the protesters on behalf of the Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isa Ahmadu, the Sadaukin Mubi, Alhaji Adamu Barkido, assured them that the emirate would pursue the matter with the relevant authorities until justice is served.
Also, a team of lawyers led by Barrister M.A. Luguja visited the victim at the hospital and pledged to provide free legal representation.
Luguja said the team would petition the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, the Nigerian Army Headquarters, the National Human Rights Commission, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and other relevant authorities.
He added that the lawyers would also file a fundamental rights enforcement suit, alleging violations of the victim’s rights to life, dignity, personal liberty and private and family life as guaranteed under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.